Some leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) have set up a sculpture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Shahnewaz Hostel of Dhaka University (DU) by removing a 31 -year old sculpture made by a freedom fighter.

Mani Mandal, a freelance artist, made the now removed sculpture of a former female student of DU's fine arts faculty 'Shelly' in 1977 with his own fund.

Mandal also a former student of the fine arts faculty said he found his creation removed to ground and Bangabandhu's sculpture on its spot on May 1 when he went to visit the hostel

"I asked some senior students and a house tutor of the hostel about the incident. The house tutor told me that he was not aware of the removal of my creation," Mandal who took part in the liberation war under sector nine told The Daily Star yesterday.

"I am a great fan of Bangabandhu and joined the liberation war being inspired by his voice. Of course there can be a sculpture of Bangabandhu on the hostel premise. But why it replaces my creation?" artist Mandal asked.

Sources said BCL activists Navo and Rano removed the sculpture in the last week of April as per direction of BCL

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central committee leaders Abul Hasnet and Sheikh Moniruzzaman Liton.

While asked BCL leader Hasnet told reporters that he knew nothing about the removal of the sculpture but he took side of the general students while they were replacing it with Bangabandhu's sculpture.

"We saw that the sculpture which was on that spot was not much important. It was nothing but expression of artist's personal emotion. Besides, the sculpture of Bangabandhu made by a student was fallen idle on the premise. So, sculpture of Bangabandu has been set up in a prestigious spot. There was no political motive or gain behind the matter," Hasnet added.

Prof Abdus Sattar, provost of AF Rahman Hall under which the hostel is run, said that the warden concerned of the hostel informed him about the matter yesterday afternoon and he instructed the warden to keep both the sculptures.

"It is a sensitive issue. Bangabandu is a great leader and the removed sculpture reflects the emotion of artist. So, I asked the authorities concerned to talk with artist Mandal and resolve the matter through discussion," Prof Sattar told The Daily Star over phone.